Kalanchoe plant named ‘Hillary’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Hillary’, characterized by its numerous medium-sized white flowers; upright and compact plant habit; small dark green crenate leaves; and good postproduction longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofKalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Hillary.

The new Kalanchoe is a product of a planned breeding program conductedby the Inventor in Hinnerup, Denmark. The objective of the breedingprogram was to create new freely-flowering Kalanchoe cultivars withcompact plant habit and small leaves.

The new Kalanchoe originated from a cross made by the Inventor of anunnamed proprietary seedling selection of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana as themale, or pollen, parent with the Kalanchoe blossfeldiana proprietaryselection identified as KJ 92-066 as the female or seed parent. Thecultivar Hillary was discovered and selected by the Inventor as aflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in Hinnerup, Denmark.

Asexual reproduction of the new Kalanchoe by terminal cuttings taken atHinnerup, Denmark, has shown that the unique features of this newKalanchoe are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar Hillary has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Hinnerup, Denmark, under commercial practice in a glass-coveredgreenhouse.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Hillary’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Hillary’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Very freely flowering; numerous medium-sized white flowers.

2. Upright and compact plant habit.

3. Small dark green crenate leaves.

4. Good postpoduction longevity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Kalanchoe, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Thephotographs were taken under diffuse natural light conditions on anovercast day with electronic flash at approximately noon in Hinnerup,Denmark.

The photograph on the first sheet comprises a side perspective view of atypical potted plant of ‘Hillary’.

The photograph at the top of the second sheet comprises a topperspective view of a typical potted plant of ‘Hillary’ showing theflowers and foliage.

The photograph at the bottom of the second sheet is a close-up view ofthe following: side perspective view of a typical flowering cyme; topperspective view of a typical flowering cyme; and immature (top) andfully expanded leaves (bottom). Flower and foliage colors in thephotographs may appear different from the actual colors due to lightreflectance. Plants depicted in the photographs were of the same age andgrown under the same environmental conditions as described in thedetailed botanical description.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The plants described wereabout 13 to 15 weeks of age from propagation of unrooted cuttings, weregrown at an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius in glass-coveredgreenhouses and had been pinched.

Botanical classification: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cultivar Hillary.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.—Unnamed proprietary seedling selection ofKalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Female or seed parent.— Kalanchoe blossfeldiana proprietary selectionidentified as KJ 92-066.

Propagation:

Type cutting.—Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—About 14 days.

Rooting habit.—Numerous, fine, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.—Upright and compact plant habit with numerous compound cymes; veryfreely flowering. Actual plant shape will depend on whether or notplants are pinched (apical terminals removed). Short internodes; uprightflowering stems. Finished plant size is appropriate for one plant per 9to 10-cm container or three plants per 13-cm container.

Branching habit.—Freely branching. Pinching (removal of terminal apex)is not required but will enhanch lateral branch development.

Plant height at flowering.—About 25 cm.

Plant diameter at flowering.—About 20 cm.

Foliage description.—Leaves simple, opposite, generally symmetrical.Size: Leaf size is reduced after floral induction. Vegetative plants:Length: About 11 cm. Width: About 9.5 cm. Reproductive plants: Length:About 6 cm. Width: About 5 cm. Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Cuneateto obtuse. Margin: Crenate. Texture: Leathery, glabrous, and succulent.Color: Young foliage, upper surface: 147A. Young foliage, lower surface:147B. Mature foliage, upper surface: 147A. Mature foliage; lowersurface: 147B.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single flowers arranged in compound dishasialcymes that arise from leaf axils. Freely flowering. Flowers persistent.

Natuaral flowering season.—Late autumm/winter/early spring; flowerinitiation and development can be induced under short day/long nightconditions.

Inflorescences borne.—Above foliage, arising from leaf axils.

Time to flower.—In the summer with 20° C. growing temperatures, about 9weeks of short day/long night conditions are required to produceflowering plants. During the winter with supplemental lighting and 20°C. growing temperatures, about 11 weeks of short day/long nightconditions are required to produce flowering plants. Time to flower isprimarily dependent upon temperature and light intensity.

Flower opening.—First flower open is the terminal flower at the mainaxis and is followed by the opening of the terminal flowers of the sidebranches of the inflorescence. About 1.5 weeks after the first flowerhas opened, 50% of the remaining flowers are open.

Flower diameter.—About 1.8 cm.

Quantity.—Very freely flowering, at least 250 flowers per plant.

Flower buds.—Shape: Narrowly oblong. Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About4 mm. Color: Dusty yellow, 12C.

Petals.—Quantity: Four fused at base. Length: About 6 mm. Shape: Roundobovate. Apex: Cuspidate. Margin: Entire. Texture: Glabrous, smooth andsatiny. Color: Mature, upper surface: Initially light yellow, 10C,becoming pure white, 155D, with sebsequent development. Mature, lowersurface: 155D.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: Stamen number: Eight. Anther shape:Slightly oblong. Filament color: Yellow green. Pollen color: Yellow.Pistils: Pistil number: Four. Style color: Greenish. Stigma shape:Round. Ovaries: Hypogenous and four-celled. Ovary size: 5 mm by 1 mm.Ovary color: Light green.

Disease resistance: Resistance to known Kalanchoe diseases has not beenobserved to date under commercial practice.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named‘Hillary’, as illustrated and described.